Galatians 3:26-29:
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When we think about Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians, “you are all one in Christ Jesus,” I believe we tend to confuse the definition of oneness. We are part of the same family formed by faith in Jesus, but we are not uniformly the same. Paul’s assertion that we are all one is rooted in our sharing the privilege of being “in Christ.” However, as Beverly Roberts Gaventa says, “Being ‘in Christ,’ does not mean that we become part of some bland, overcooked, and underseasoned stew, in which the infinite array of women’s gifts (and men’s gifts) lose their particularity.” Rather, we all share in the status of being children of the promise. Those early Christians who are male, Jewish, and free would be expected to receive privilege due to these statuses, but Paul shows us that in Christ, there are no longer such divisions. Our identity in Christ is greater than gender, cultural heritage, or socioeconomics. Our individual statuses do not divide us because our identity in Christ unites us.
In our culture, perhaps we don’t have status divisions much as ideological ones. We separate into theological denominations, political parties, etc.* And if the pastor, worship leader, or general congregation does not align with our particular ideology, we move on to the next church, podcast, community group, and so on. Despite our many differences, we share in the great mission of being God’s family.
If we focus on that mission, which includes being Jesus’s representatives and sharing the good news that everyone can join His family, would we be more likely to appreciate and even celebrate our differences? Even within our church community of the greater Sacramento area, I have had the privilege of seeing the many gifts each church has offered. Some churches have a large presence in the community, some are a haven for recovery, some have political influence, some are centers of healing, others are hubs for missions, and some are discipleship driven, while others focus on evangelism. Just thinking about each church, not as separate units with their own mission, but as one body, gives me encouragement. Our similarities are stronger than our differences. What could it look like if instead of shaking our heads and separating when we disagree, we prayed fervently for our weaknesses and cheered each other on in our strengths?
Is that what Jesus sees when He looks at His bride? We are all one in Christ.
As we participate in the fast, we are engaging in an act of unity. We are coming together for the purpose of asking God to save, heal, deliver, and set people free. We are acting in agreement with God’s plans to see a glimmer of what it means to see on earth as it is in heaven. What a beautiful expression of oneness in Christ.
*This is not to say that socioeconomic and racial divisions are not also prevalent and important to discuss.
Listening Prayer: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you place emphasis on ideas or ideologies that divide us from each other. Where have you seen Christians or churches that you disagree with theologically, politically, or ideologically shine in areas of strength that you have not considered?
Prayer: Father, how beautiful is your family! How precious are your children, whom you love so much. Thank you that I am one of them. Thank you that I am one WITH them. Will you show me the beauty of your church? I confess that I am quick to be disappointed and disillusioned as I am prone to see weakness and failure. Show me how to pray for the Church. Show me how to praise you for the beauty and intercede for the weakness. Unite us as we ought to be, Lord. Show us how to be brothers and sisters – children and heirs of the promise. May we bring glory to your name, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Resources: Bible Verses on Unity:
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
John 17:22-24:
I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!
Ephesians 4:2-4
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Worship Song: Dusty Bibles – Josiah Queen